“Both of these young women bring an attitude and a passion for winning, as well as a passion for the game of basketball that is contagious,” Cremeans said. “The additions of Langford and Waner to the Pioneer family are essential in building and maintaining a winning tradition at DU and the both of them can’t wait to get started.”

Waner, a native of Highlands Ranch, Colo., will join Cremeans’ staff after a four-year stint with ESPN, as well as The Mountain, as a college sports analyst. Waner brings a wealth of basketball knowledge to the Pioneer coaching staff after a highly successful career at Duke University, where she was a three-time All-ACC selection, as well as a preseason National Player of the Year candidate in 2008 and 2009. Waner finished her career at Duke as the school’s all-time leader in career three-pointers made. Waner was selected 21st overall in the 2009 WNBA Draft by the New York Liberty.

Waner enrolled at Duke after being named Miss Colorado Basketball in consecutive seasons (2004, 2005), as well as earning the National High School Coaches Association’s National Player of the Year award in 2005. A three-time state champion at Thunder Ridge High School, Waner also garnered the Colorado Gatorade Player of the Year honor following her senior season.

“Abby is a grand slam,” Cremeans said. “She is an icon in the state of Colorado and known nationally for her tremendous basketball career at Duke, as well as her experience with television. She brings immediate recognition to our program and is passionate about Denver for many reasons, the main one being that this is home. Abby brings great enthusiasm and love for the sport, and the University will benefit immensely from the addition of Abby.”

Langford joins the DU staff after a one-year stint as an assistant coach at Bucknell University. As an assistant with the Bisons, Langford worked specifically with the guards, while also coordinating the team’s travel plans and itinerary. Before joining the staff at Bucknell, the Tulane alumnae served as a graduate assistant with the Auburn Tigers.

“Ashley is a bright, young coach with a passion for recruiting,” Cremeans said. “Her strength is evaluating talent. She is extremely organized, driven and knows exactly what it takes to be successful. Ashley already has achieved so much at a young age, and she has all the tools to make a difference and take DU basketball to the next level.

“Ashley is amazing in that she is fully committed to DU basketball, and she has yet to even step foot on campus. She is working 24-7 on recruiting and will be proudly wearing the Denver logo this weekend out on the West Coast.”

Langford spent her playing days at Tulane where she was the first player in school history to earn Freshman All-America honors from the Women’s Basketball News Service. Langford concluded her playing career at Tulane first in games started (121) and minutes played (4,162). She also amassed the school’s all-time assists record as a junior, finishing her career with 722 assists. Off the court, Langford was named the 2009 C-USA Scholar-Athlete of the Year. She also received the conference’s Postgraduate Scholarship and Spirit of Service Award.

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